ASICS Trabuco Max 2 review

We've come to understand that the Trabuco Max 2 from ASICS is a standout choice for:

• Those in search of a maximalist, super-cushioned trail shoe that provides unparalleled comfort on long distances.
• Trail runners who log high mileage and need a shoe that minimises leg fatigue on easy days, thanks to its plush midsole.
• ASICS fans looking for a shoe that offers the familiar upper comfort and running experience of their favourite ASICS road trainers, but with the ruggedness for mountain trails.

From our lab data, the ASICS Trabuco Max 2 might not be the best bet for those seeking a nimble trail shoe due to its weight. Tipping the scales at over 10 ounces, it's a tad heavy for enthusiasts of lighter footwear. We suggest considering the Nike Terra Kiger 9 or the Saucony Peregrine 13 as lighter alternatives.

Moreover, we do not recommend the Trabuco Max 2 for runners with narrow feet. Trail running often requires a tight lockdown, and the roomy upper of this model may feel unstable for those with slimmer feet. For a more secure fit, we believe the Hoka Speedgoat 5 could be a better choice.

ASICS crafted the Trabuco Max 2 with comfort as a top priority—both the midsole and upper leave no room for doubt. The engineered mesh feels airy, reminiscent of their comfy daily trainers, like the Novablast 4. So, we expect breathability to be top-notch. But, we had to put it to the test.

We used our smoke-pumping machine to rate the airflow and were thrilled to find that the Trabuco Max 2 scored a perfect 5/5. ASICS has outdone themselves, making this an ideal shoe for summer runs.

To pinpoint areas of superior airflow, we shone a powerful light over the cut-in-half upper. Our findings revealed that the ventilation isn't limited to the toebox—it extends to the midfoot area, which is a fantastic addition.

ASICS chose not to go with a very thin mesh for top-notch airflow. Instead, they opted for a thicker one, filled with hundreds of ventilation holes.

There's nothing like our microscope for getting a close-up look at the ventilation holes.

Lastly, we examined the engineered mesh more closely. It confirmed our initial impressions, offering the same comfort as a road running shoe. 

It boasts superb padding in the back and a very thin mesh in the front, balancing support and breathability where it matters the most.

Outstanding breathability often comes with two drawbacks—reduced durability and less warmth for winter running. While the latter can be partially remedied with thick socks, the former usually remains a challenge.

Luckily, the Trabuco Max 2's upper held up impressively against our Dremel, earning a solid 3/5. While this might seem average at first glance, when combined with its top-tier airflow, it's a very good outcome. Particularly impressive is that this was measured on the mesh itself, not on the toe bumper!

Following our initial Dremel test, we were keen to further explore the shoe's durability, so we turned our attention to the heel area. Given the plush Achilles padding, we suspected durability might be compromised.

However, that wasn't the case. In another remarkable display, we found the TM2 boasts a very sturdy yet comfortable heel counter, earning it a well-deserved 4/5!

Now, let's dive into the outsole. We were eager to see if the streak of good results would continue.

First up, we clocked the hardness of the ASICSGrip rubber at 85.0 HC. It seems to be average yet offers a good grip across a variety of terrains, from the occasional asphalt to dirt roads, mud, or even wet conditions.

While it may not excel in any one area and it's not as good as Vibram Megagrip, it truly does a great job overall.

In our final Dremel test, we aimed to assess the durability of the ASICSGrip rubber.

Unfortunately, we encountered a 1.2-mm indentation, which is somewhat below our expectations, though not alarmingly so.

We also measured the thickness of the outsole's rubber, excluding the lugs. We found it to be 2.1 mm, which is a smart design choice for this shoe. It's thick enough to be durable without adding unnecessary weight.

And when it comes to weight, we had our reservations initially, as the shoe appeared quite big right out of the box.

Yet, at 10.3 oz (292g), it's even lightweight for its XXL size. This highlights ASICS' effort in trimming weight wherever possible, such as with the strategic outsole cutouts.

We've mentioned a few times how large this shoe is, and the heel stack height confirms it.

We think that if you're in search of a cushioned trail shoe, this is the one. With a 39.7 mm heel, the Trabuco Max 2 will protect your legs for as long as you're willing to run.

The forefoot measures 31.2 mm, which is significantly less than ASICS' claimed 38 mm. We're not sure where their measurements come from, but we stick to the official World Athletics measurement points.

Despite this discrepancy, it's still an exceptionally cushioned shoe for midfoot and forefoot strikers—no question about it.

It's also worth noting that the shoe doesn't have a rock plate. However, with over 31.2 mm of stack between your feet and the ground, it's highly unlikely that rocks will be an issue.

After taking our own measurements, we uncovered a substantial gap from the official specs. ASICS advertises a 5 mm drop, yet we clocked it at 8.5 mm.

It's a notable variance, though not a deal-breaker. If anything, this makes the shoe a tad more heel-striker-friendly, and somewhat less ideal for technical descents. But honestly, who's eyeing technical descents with a shoe boasting such a high stack height?

The Trabuco Max 2 comes with an insole that's 4.7 mm thick, which is pretty standard.

Now, let's get to the most captivating part of the Trabuco Max 2, the feature that truly lives up to the "Max" in its name—the full-length FF Blast+ midsole.

This is the same EVA+OBC foam ASICS uses in their premium road running shoes, like the Nimbus 25. It offers a soft, bouncy, and cushioned experience. But don't expect top-notch energy return; this midsole focuses more on comfort than performance.

That being said, it's far from lackluster, and it actually gives more bounce than standard EVA foam. And thanks to its massive stack height, it maintains its softness without bottoming out. We're actually big fans of this shoe for those long, steady runs where speed isn't the priority.

Given its exceptional breathability, the Trabuco Max 2 falls short for winter use, raising questions among trail runners about its performance in colder conditions.

To go even further in this topic, we conducted a test by placing it in our lab's freezer for 20 minutes. Upon re-measuring the FF Blast+ foam, we observed a 25.1 HA measurement, indicating a considerably firmer feel—42.5% firmer than before, to be precise. This confirms that the Max 2 it's not the best option for cold weather.

We were pleasantly surprised by the stability the Trabuco Max 2 offers despite its tall stack height, especially when running straight. The shoe incorporates stability features such as midsole sidewalls, applying some of ASICS' road shoe recent design cues to trail running.

However, the shoe's height does come with inevitable trade-offs. You can't expect it to be as stable on twisty or technical terrain as, say, the Hoka Zinal 2, which sits way lower to the ground.

A key factor in the solid stability we experienced was the shoe's rigidity. While running, this was clearly felt, but it was when we twisted the shoe by hand that we noticed its minimal twist, thanks to the massive midsole. We rated it a 5/5, on par with carbon-plated shoes like the Nike Ultrafly.

This means if you're looking for a natural run where the shoe flexes and adapts to your movements during turns and inclines, we think this shoe might not be the best fit. It has many strengths, but torsional flexibility isn't one of them.

The heel counter is quite stiff, and we gave it a 4/5 rating.

It's designed to enhance stability during heel landings, which is needed for many runners. However, this does mean there's a trade-off, primarily in terms of comfort for those sensitive around the Achilles area.

The shoe appears very tall, yet it's not overly wide. We measured 115.3 mm at the widest part of the forefoot, which is slightly more than what we typically see in the lab.

However, this design makes sense, as exceeding 10 ounces in weight, any additional width would significantly add to the shoe's heft.

The same is true for the heel, measuring just 91.3 mm.

Nonetheless, we can shed some light on this lab measurement for you—it's all down to the shoe's rigidity, the stiff heel counter, and the midsole sidewalls. With these stability features, ASICS managed to maintain average shoe dimensions.

One of our main concerns during the manual assessment of torsional flexibility was that it might be too stiff. But when we measured the effort required to bend it up to 90 degrees, we found it only took 29.9N.

This is an excellent result for such a thick midsole. It makes the shoe an outstanding choice for all-day wear, while still keeping it extremely comfortable underfoot.

However, our surprise turned to dismay after repeating the test post 20-minute freezer session.

The shoe's stiffness skyrocketed by 70.6%, demanding a colossal 51.0N of force to flex it, rendering it as stiff as several plated shoes out there. Definitely not what we hoped for!

Returning to the outsole, we noticed 4.2-mm lugs, which might be a tad larger than those on most all-rounder shoes, but it's not a concern.

Many of the Max 2's lugs feature a three-pronged design, complemented by chevron-shaped lugs along the sides for enhanced traction.

In fact, for those who occasionally face muddy or technical terrain, this is a welcome advantage.

The Trabuco Max 2 shines not just with its cushioned and comfortable midsole suited for long-distance trail runs, but also with its spacious upper.

We measured the widest part of the upper at 100.9 mm, making it an excellent choice for runners with wide feet.

The big toe area complements the toebox, avoiding the common issue where roomy shoes abruptly taper at the toes. Our 80.4 mm measurement confirms this feature is fantastic for ultra running, as it prevents discomfort from foot swelling.

We discovered that the tongue is fully gusseted—a top-notch feature for all trail shoes. This design keeps debris out, so there's no need to pause your run to shake out pebbles or dirt.

Right from the start of this lab review, we mentioned how the upper reminded us of one of ASICS' daily trainers, and the tongue is yet another testament to their commitment to comfort.

The tongue also includes an elastic band to secure the laces and a metal ring for attaching gaiters, adding to its functionality.

Measuring 7.1 mm, it's plush enough to ensure comfort even over ultra distances.

The heel boasts a handy finger-loop tab, making slipping into the Trabuco Max 2 a breeze. But the perks don't stop there—as we show in the picture below, it also includes a gaiter attachment, adding a lovely touch to this already impressive shoe.

The insole is removable, allowing you to swap it for a thinner one if you're looking to gain more room inside the upper. However, keep in mind that doing so will result in less cushioning underfoot.

We absolutely love spotting reflective elements on trail running shoes, especially on those perfect for ultra running, where nighttime adventures are common, and the Trabuco Max 2 checks off this feature!